Castlefields were forced to put the champagne on ice as hopes of wrapping up the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League title last night were frustrated by old adversaries St Georges.

Five winners would almost certainly have given the leaders a third consecutive crown, but a 10-4 (agg 47) defeat on one of their less favoured greens means Keith Walton’s side must now wait before completing the job.

Scott Harries was in splendid form to lead the way for the Dragons with a 21-4 victory, while Dave Hoffman was the best of the replies with a 21-11 verdict.

At the other end of the table, basement side Bylet slipped deeper into trouble after suffering a 14-0 (agg 81) drubbing at Wem USC whose Derek Wright led the rout with a 21-6 victory.

Newport are up to fifth thanks to a 12-2 success over Sir John Bayley, Ian Whittington too hot to handle in winning 21-2.

In the night’s other action, Childs Ercall were narrow 8-6 winners over Ford, with Peter Farmer and Jonathan Martin both winning 21-10.

RESULTS

Newport 12 Agg +76 (Ian Whittington 21-2) Sir J Bayley 2 (Paul Reeves 21-11); Wem USC 14 Agg +81 (Derek Wright 21-6) Bylet 0 (Greg Wale 20-21); St Georges 10 Agg +47 (Scott Harries 21-4) Castlefields 4 (Dave Hoffman 21-11); Childs Ercall 8 Agg +22 (Peter Farmer, Jonathan Martin 21-10) Ford 6 (Kevin Jones 21-9)